Generator



Nov. l2, 1935. F. w. TEMPLE GENERATOR Filed arch 27, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gaze/r F. w TEMPLE 2,020,591

GENERATOR Nov. 12, 1935.

:s sheets-sheet 2 Fild laren 27. 195s NOV. 12, `1935. l Flw, TEMPLE 2,020,591

GENERATOR Filed March 27, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .ffii/'Ilega- Patented Nov. 12,' 1935 UNITED Y STATES PATENT or-Flcs GENERATOR Fred W. Temple, La Crosse, Wil.

Application March 27, 1933, Serial No. 663,050 5 Claims. (Cl. 171-313) The invention relates to generators and has among its other objects the provision of improved alternating current generators which are compact, durable, eiiicient and satisfactory for use 5 wherever found applicable.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved alternating current generator which inherently is adapted to regulate the terminal voltage for varying loads or to provide a l constant terminal voltage at varyins speeds with a constant load.

Another particular object oi' the invention is to provide improved means for regulating the terminal voltage of an alternating current genl erator. p

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved means for regulating the terminal voltage of an alternating current generator so that the terminal voltage will remain 20 substantially constant at varying speeds with a variable load.

Still another particular object of the invention is to provide alternating current generators having the characteristics described above and pro- 26 vided with means for rectifying the current.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- 30 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a generator embodying the invention in connection with apparatus for driving it.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

36 Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram for the improved generator illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3.

Fig. 4a is a diagram which illustrates the op- I eration of the improved generator shown in Figs. 40 l, 2 and 3.

Fig. 4b is another diagram which illustrates the operation of the improved generator shownv in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 4c is a diagram which also illustrates the 45 operation of the improved generator shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of an alternating current generator and regulating means embodying another form of the invention, and

50 Fig. 6 is a diagram which illustrates the operation of the apparatus illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5.

Referring for the present to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, wherein an alternating current generator embodying the invention is shown, the reference character I0 designates the improved` generator generally. The generator I. comprises a shaft II provided with a pulley I2, which, in this instance, is operatively connected to a driving pulley I4 by a belt i5. The belt I5 isalso trained 5 over pulleys I6 and I1. The pulley II is ilxed to the shaft I3 of an electric generator I9. .The pulley Il is ilxed to a shaft 20 with which a fan 2I is constrained to rotate. It is contemplated that generators embodying the invention will be uti- 10 lized on automobiles, or the equivalent, to provide electric current for operating radio receivers or for supplying current to the lamps usually provided in such vehicles or to additional lamps mounted on the vehicle. It is also contemplated l5 that generators embodying my invention may be employed in place of the generators now provided upon automobiles, or the like. Fig. l illustrates diagrammatically the manner in which my improved generator Ill may be driven by the fan belt I i of an automobile. 'Ihe pulley I4 is adapted to drive the belt I5 and it may be driven from any suitable shaft of the automobile. 'Ihe fan 2I is the fan usually provided in connection with the cooling system of an automobile. 'Ihe gen- 25 erator I9 is a generator of the type now corn- I monly provided in automobiles for providing electric current for its operation.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the generator I3 comprises 30 a rotor and a stator 26. The rotor 25 comprises the shaft II and laminated segments 2l and 29 disposed diametrically upon the shaft II. The portion of the shaft II on which the laminated segments 23 and 29 are mounted ispref- 35 erably square in cross-section as illustrated in Fig. 3. The squared portion of the shaft Il is preferably provided with grooves 30 which are engageable by integral lugs 3I formed upon the laminations of the segments 23 and 29. 'I'hese 40 laminations are secured against longitudinal displacement on the shaft II by plates or washers 34 mounted on the shaft and secured thereto by collars 35, the collars 35 being held against displacement by ilanges 36 riveted over from the 45 shaft onto the collars. The shaft II is preferably journaled in ball-bearings 39 mounted in the stator 26.

The stator 26 comprises cup-shaped housing members 40 and I4I which are secured to each 50 other by means comprising screw-threaded rods 42 projecting through bores 43 and 44, respectively, provided in the housing members 43 and 4I It will be noted that nuts 45 screw-threaded upon the rods 42 co-operate with the rods to secure the housing members 48 and 4| to each other. Disposed within the housing members 48 and 4| are annular laminations 58 which preferably constitute the stator proper. The laminations 58 are apertured to receive the rods 42 and nuts 52` screw-threaded upon the rods 42 clamp the laminations 50 in place within the housing members 48 and 4 I. In this instance, the laminations 58 are shaped to provide poles 55, 55, 51 and 58, the poles 55 and 56 being disposed in opposite relation and the poles 51 and 58 being disposed in opposite relation. The poles 55 and 56 are provided with windings 68 and 6|, respectively, and the poles 51 and 58 are provided with windings 52 and 68, respectively. As hereinafter described, the windings 68 and 8| are connected operatively to a suitable source of direct current and the windings 82 and 63 are connected to the load.

If it is assumed that the windings 88 and 8|" are connected to the source of direct current in such manner that the poles 55 and 58 are north and south poles, respectively, and if it is assumed that the rotor 25 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 at some instant during its operation, it will be readily understood that magnetic ilux will fiow through the poles 55 and 51 and the laminated segment 28 in the direction indicated by the arrows 18 so that the pole 51 will be a socalled south pole at that instant. Simultaneously, magnetic flux will flow through the poles 58 and 58 and the laminated segment 28 in the direction indicated by the arrows 1| so that the pole 58 will be a north pole at that instant. Now, if it is assumed that the rotor 25 is displaced angularly in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) there will be a reversal in the direction of the flux flowing through the poles 51 and 58. Such reversal of the flux will take place during every angle of 90 during the rotation of the rotor. Obviously, an alternating current will be induced in the windings 82 and 88 which alternating current will have a frequency determined by the speed of rotation of the rotor 25.

Referring now to Fig. 4 wherein a preferred circuit diagram for the generator i8 is shown, it will be noted that the generator I8 is operatively connected to a direct current generator 88 which is provided with main brushes 8| and 82 and a third brush 83, the third brush 83 being associated with one end of a shunt field winding 84. The brush 82 is connected to the other terminal of the field winding 84 and to ground. The brush 8| is connected to one terminal of the winding 58 and to one terminal of the winding 5|, the other terminals of these windings being connected to ground so that the windings 58 and 8| are connected in parallel. The brush 8| is connected through a cutout switch 85 with one terminal of a storage vbattery 81 which has its other terminal grounded, the storage battery 81 being the storage battery usually provided in the automobile. The windings $2 and 58 are connected in series and are connected in terminals 88 and 9| which may be inserted in a suitable plug in a radio receiver, the generator I8 being particularly adapted, in this instance, to form the power supply for an alternating current radio receiver.

The cutout switch is open when the generator 88 is not in operation and also when the terminal voltage of the generator is not sumciently high to enable it to charge the battery 81. It will be noted that the cutout switch also prevents the battery 81 from discharging through the windings 58 and 6| when the generator 88 is not in operation.

In practice, the generator 88 has a terminal voltage of from 8 to 1 V. during operation. The windings 68 and 5| are energized continuously by the current of the generator 88 when the apparatus is in operation. The rotation of the rotor causes the generator |8 to deliver an alternating current which, in pactice, is ordinarily of the order of 110 V. when the apparatus is l0 employed in connection with a radio receiver of the type now commonly employed in connection with standard central station alternating current circuits. However, it will be readily understood 4that the windings on the stator 26 may be prol5 portioned in such manner that a voltage of any desired magnitude may be obtained at the terminals 88 and 9|. Thus, the generator |8 may be constructed to deliver a 6 V. alternating current adapted to be employed to energize the lamps 20 usually provided upon motor vehicles.

The rule for determining the terminal voltage of a generator embodying the invention is expressed in the following formula:

impedance. I, of course, is the current.

It will be readily understood that E', the induced voltage, varies, but not in a constant ratio, with the frequency f. 'Ihe synchronous impedance Z also varies, but not in a constant ratio, with f.

Fig. 4a illustrates graphically in a general manner the increase in the values of E', V and IZ with an increase in frequency.

It will be noted from an inspection `of Fig. 4a that the values E', V and IZ tend to become sub 40 stantially constant in value as a frequency increases. This is due mainly to armature reaction in the case of E' and armature reactance in the case of value IZ. It will be noted that vthe value V is equal to the value E' minus the value IZ, in 45 accordance with the formula given above.

Referring now to Fig. 4b, the graphs Va and Vb indicate the values V for two generators which embody my invention and are subjected to identi- I cal loads. The graph Vb represents the value V of a generator having a predetermined inductanoe, in the armature windings 82 and 83. 'Ihe graph Va represents the value of a generator having a lower inductance in the armature windings 62 and 88. It will be noted that the higher the G7 inductance of the armature windings the sooner the value V will attain, approximately, its constant value. This point is of particular importance as it will be readily understood that when a 4 generator embodying the invention is employed upon an automobile. it may be designed so that' it will give, approximately, its maximum voltage at idling speeds.

Fig. 4c illustrates three graphs or curves |88, i 8| and |82 which illustrate the values V for a 85 generator which embodies the invention and is subjected to three different loads. The graph |82 indicates the value V when the generator is subjected to the highest load, the graph |88 indicates the value V when the generator is subjected to the smallest load of the three and the graph |8 I represents the value V when the generator is subjected to the intermediate load. It will be noted that in each instance, the value V assumes, at substantially the same frequency, a I8 value approximately equaling its maximum value. In other words, the knees of the three curves occur at substantially the same frequencies.

One advantage of the above construction will become apparent from the following example: Assuming that one constructed a generator which embodies the invention and had an output of two amperes at a voltage of 110 at all speeds above the critical speed illustrated by the dotted line |05 passing through the knees of the graphs or curves 100, IUI and |02, it will be readily understood that if the necessary load is only one ampere in a certain installation, the voltage may be maintained at a desired constant value by adding additional load to the original load of one ampere. l

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the generators are characterized by the following features: First, the rotors are not provided with windings, second, the rotor of each machine comprises a plurality of segments of magnetic material spaced from each` other by non-magnetic material, third, the ease with which voltage regulation at varying speeds is obtained by the inherent characteristics of the machines, and fourth, the complete reversal of the magnetic flux in the armature windings G2 and 63 as distinguished from the practice of varying the magnetic flux by varying the 1eluctance of the magnetic path.

FromV the foregoing it is evident that generators embodying the invention are particularly adapted to provide the power supply for radio receivers in automobiles and also for the lamps on the automobile. It is contemplated that on large trucks or trailers, generators embodying the invention will be utilized in addition to the usual generators to provide current for additional lamps. The generators, which embody the invention, will be driven preferably by the fan belt, or the equivalent. It is also contemplated that generators embodying the invention may be utilized in place of the generators now provided in automobiles to provide the ignition current, the current for charging the usual storage battery and the current for operating the lamps.

Referring now to Fig. 5 wherein apparatus embodying another form of the invention is shown, the reference character I0b designates a generator which is substantially identical in construction with the generator I0' described above. The generator Illb comprises a shaft IIb which carries laminated segments 28h and 29h formed from magnetic material. The shaft Hbis formed from non-magnetic material. The shaft IIb and the laminated segments 28h and 29h form a rotor 25h. The stator is designated at 26h and is preferably formed from laminated magnetic material. The stator 26h comprises poles 55h, 56h, 51h and 58h. The -poles 55h and 56h are provided with windings 60h and Gib, respectively, the poles 51h and 58h being provided with windings 62b and 63h, respectively. The generator Ib is adapted to be utilized upon an automobile in the same manner as the generator I0 described above and may be driven by a fan belt oi' the automobile. 'I'he generator shown at 80h .is a generator of the type Ausually provided in automobiles to supply current to the lamps, the storage battery and the ignition system. The generator 80h is provided with main brushes Blb and B2b whereby direct current is delivered by the generator 80h to the apparatus operatively connected to it. The generator 8.0i also comprises a third brush 83h whereby regulation of the voltage is obtained. This construction is well known in the art. The brush 83h is connected through' a field winding Mb to the brush B2b and to ground. 'Ihe storage battery of the automobile is indicated at 81d. A cutout switch is I shown at lib and the reference characters 90b and 9Ib represent terminals adapted to be connected to the terminals of a radio receiver.

The brush 8Ib is connected to one terminal of the cutout switch 86h and to a terminal of l0 the winding 60h. The other terminal of the switch 86h is connected to a terminal of the battery 81h which has its other terminal grounded. The other terminal of the winding 60h is connected to one terminal of the winding Bib and to a terminalof a switch 86e which has its other terminal grounded. The other terminal of the winding Gib is connected to the brush 63h. The terminal Sib is connected to one terminal of the winding 62h, the other terminal of the winding 20 B2b being connected to a terminal of the winding 63h. The remaining terminal of the winding 63h is connected to the terminal 90b.

The wind'ngs 60D and Gib are energized by a direct current supplied by the generator bpb. Thus, when the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 is in operation and the switch 86C is closed, the current flows as follows: From the brush 8 lb through the winding 60h and thence through the switch 86e to ground. Another current flows from the 30 brush 83h through the winding Bib and thence through the switch 86e to ground. Of course, the voltage across the terminals of the winding Glb is less than that across the terminals of the winding 60h, but as the pickup windings Bib 85 and 63D are in series, this difference in voltages with respect to the windings 60h and Blb does not affect the operation of the apparatus from a practical standpoint. The generator IDb functions substantially in the same manner as the generator I0 described above. The pickup 'or armature windings B2b and 63h provide an alter-V nating current to a radio receiver (not shown) through the medium of the terminals 90b and SIb. The cutout switch 86h functions in the 45 same manner as the cutout switch 86 described above. It might be mentioned that the windings h and Blb will buck each other when the switch 86e is opened.

F'g. 6 illustrates graphically the terminal volt- 50 age of the generator llllb and the voltage of the third brush 83h at different speeds. The generator h is designed to have a terminal voltage of between 6 and 7 V. when it is in operation upon an automobile. The curve 80d illustrates 55 the terminal voltages at the various speeds of the automobile and it will be noted that the terminal voltage of the generator Illb has an abrupt drop when the cutout switch 86h closes.

It will also be noted that the terminal voltage 00 of the generator 80h' remains above 6 V. in value throughout substantially the entire operating range of the generator. 'Ihe voltage of the third brush 83h is indicated by the curve 80e. This voltage is initially above 6V. when theautomo- 55 bile is operating at the lower speeds but falls to a value slightly above 2 V. when the automobile is operated at the higher speeds. Obviously, the winding 6I b will be subjected to a smaller energizing current at the higher speeds of the auto- 7o mobile and there will a decrease in the magnetic flux created by this winding. This decrease in the magnetic ux in the pole 56h will regulate the voltage across the terminals b and SIb so that a substantially constant voltage will 15 be impressed upon the radio receiver (not shown).

I shall now explain the construction of the generator I of Figs. l, 2 and 3 when the generator is to be driven at a constant speed to supply current at a substantially constant voltage to a variable load. Referring to Pig. 4a, it will be noted that il the value Z is made sumclently small, it will cause the value IZ to bevsmall. I n other words, it will take a large variation in the value I to make a large variation in the value IZ. Therefore, if the pickup windings 62 and i3 of the generator I have a low inductance, the generator i0 may be driven at a predetermined speed to deliver acurrent at a substantially constant voltage to a load which varies within relatively wide limits. This form of the invention has been embodied in a machine which has given extremely satisfactory results.

In this speciilcation and in the appended claims the improved generator is defined as a generator of the inductor type. This deilnition is employed to dene a generator in which both eld and armature windings are stationary, and in which masses of iron or inductors, by moving past the coils, alternate the magnetic ilux through them. Generators of this type may be either singlephase or polyphase.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modliications. Changes, therefore in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

l. The combination with a direct current generator having means including a third brush for controlling the voltage thereof, of a generator of the inductor type comprising a stator having a plurality of poles, ileld and armature windings on said poles, a rotor, means operatively connecting at least one oi' said ileld windings with the main terminals of said direct current generator, and means operatively connecting said third brush to at least one of said field windings.

2. The combination with a direct current generator having main brushes and having means including a third brush for controlling the volt age thereof, of a generator of the inductor type comprising a stator having a plurality of poles, 5

iield and amature windings on said poles, and a rotor, together with means operatively connecting at least one of said ileld windings with the main brushes of said direct current generator, and means operatively connecting said third brush to at least one of said ileld windings whereby a substantially constant terminal voltage is maintained by said inductor type generator for a constant load at variable speeds.

3. The combination with a direct current generator having means including a third brush for controlling the voltage thereof, of a generator of the inductor type comprising ileld and armature windings, and means operatively connecting at least one of said neld windings to said third brush.

4. The combination with a direct current generator having main brushes and having means including a third brush for controlling the voltage thereof, of a generator of the inductor type comprising a stator having a plurality of poles, iield and armature windings on said poles, and a rotor, a storage battery connected across two of said brushes of the direct current generator, and said ileld windings of the inductor type generator being connected to said brushes, whereby the terminal voltage of said inductor type generator is iniluenced by the load of the battery and the control of the third brush.

5. T'he combination with a direct current gen- 35 erator having main brushes and having means including a third brush for controlling the voltage thereof, of a generator of the inductor type comprising a stator having a plurality of poles, ileld and armature windings on said poles, and a rotor, 40 a common drive means for said generators and means connectingsaid ileld windings to said brushes whereby to regulate the output voltage of said inductor type generator from said third brush.

FRED W. TEMPLE. 

